SOLD! - 1943 Gibson J-45 WWII Banner Script Logo J45 "Only a Gibson..."

This is a cool and great playing example of a 1943 "Banner" Gibson J-45, so called for the decal on the headstock reading "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough", used only during WWII.
 
The J-45 was one of the few Gibson models in full production during the Second World War when the company's instrument output was severely limited. In this period the specifications of individual instruments often vary greatly from published standards but everyone agrees that the guitars that left the factory during WWII are all amazing sounding and some of the best out there.
 
This guitar is in excellent playing condition, loved and played by a professional German artist for many years live and in the studio. The finish shows some typical checking and marks but nothing too bad. There are small dings, scrapes and dents but no really large areas worn away. The back and sides are generally in similar condition, with some scrapes into the lacquer and a few professional repaired lines and cracks that are stable.
 
The neck's profile is round and chunky, quite deep but still not as thick feeling as some wartime Gibsons. This is a great-sounding guitar with a huge tone. This particular "Banner" has had some repair work but remains in better condition then many of these both structurally and cosmetically. This is an excellent players' guitar as well as a rare and interesting guitar for any collection.
 
The guitar has also had the neck re-set. The neck set is very well done, with a good angle and sone light touch up to the heel. There is no readable FON number on the heel block but all appointments say it's a '43.
 
Amazingly enough for an 82 year old Gibson there are no serious cracks except a few repaired grain splits to the top and side, neatly sealed with no finish added. The original bridge may have been reglued at some point, but very nice done. The back has had an overspray after the neck reset. Comes in a later standard dreadnought case.